Best Songs of 2014: Honourable Mention (Part 1, A-D)

As I seem to mention every year, crafting a strict Top 100 Songs of The Year list is an impossibility for me, because I listen to and like way more than 100 songs. So in order to shine a light on some of the songs that are still very good but don’t crack my top 100, I’ve issued lists recognizing the “honourable mentions” the past couple years. This is the first of those lists for 2014. More than anything though, these lists serve as a record keeping endeavour, so when I look back at 2014 some years down the line, I’ll be able to re-visit all the songs I was into. Having something neat and tidy to refer to at any time appeals to me, and that’s a big reason why I compile these lists. If anyone else who reads them discovers/likes something new, that’s great too.

Without further ado, here is the first of four lists detailing the best songs of 2014, Honourable Mention style, in alphabetical order.

Allie X – Prime

 

alt-J – Nara

 

alt-J – The Gospel of John Hurt

 

Ariana Grande f. The Weeknd – Love Me Harder

 

Avid Dancer – I Want To See You Dance

 

Balance and Composure – Enemy

 

Basia Bulat – It Can’t Be You

 

Basia Bulat – Tall Tall Shadow

 

Bear Hands – Giants

 

Betty Who – Lovin’ Start

 

Bleachers – Rollercoaster

 

Britney Spears – Alien

 

Broken Bells – Holding On For Life

 

Broods – Coattails

 

Cloud Nothings – I’m Not Part Of Me

 

Darlia – Queen Of Hearts

 

Deers – Bamboo

 

Duck Sauce – NRG

 

Duke Dumont – Mumble Man

 

Dum Dum Girls – Rimbaud Eyes

Top 20 Songs of January 2014

These are my Top 20 Songs of January, in terms of plays and resonance:

20. Tove Lo – Habits

 

19. Lucius – Wildewoman

 

18. Massari – Brand New Day

 

17. Alvvays – Adult Diversion

 

16. Foster The People – Coming Of Age

 

15. Trust – Rescue, Mister

 

14. Britney Spears – Alien

 

13. Kaleida – Tropea

 

12. Beyonce f. Jay-Z – Drunk In Love

 

11. Basia Bulat – Tall Tall Shadow/It Can’t Be You

 

 

10. Zedd f. Hayley Williams – Stay The Night

 

9. Broken Bells – Holding On For Life

 

8. Ghost (B.C.) – If You Have Ghosts

 

7. One Direction – Story Of My Life

 

6. Wildlife – Lightning Tent

 

5. Maximo Park – Leave This Island

 

4. Katy Perry – Unconditionally

 

3. Eternal Death – Head

 

2. Future Islands – Seasons (Waiting On You)

I thank the stars they’re back. What an immense, amazing tune. Future Islands own so much real estate in my heart that I think I’d disappear if they ever chose to sell.

 

1. Against Me! – True Trans Soul Rebel

NB: At present, and for the life of me, I can’t find the original version of this song to share. The acoustic version I’ve shared below is brilliant, but the original is one of the catchiest alt/pop songs I’ve heard in a long time. If you can find it, listen to it. Embrace it. Against Me! are on fire.